RAISE A GLASS
One of the reasons I enjoy writing these words is because it helps you discover new wines and hopefully helps you learn a little too.
I’ve been doing it for a few years (eek) and in that time I’ve noticed a shift in what people know about wine, and how tastes have become more eclectic.
My friends now don’t sip pinot grigio as their staple of choice. Blimey, one has started drinking albarino. That’s a giant step in her life and attitude.
With that in mind, I like to highlight wines which win awards, because it gives you a nudge towards your buying choices.
And more so, I like to highlight the People’s Choice Wine Awards. There’s a clue in the words “people’s choice”.
Because people like you are part of the judging process. Not just nominating, but tasting too, with the guidance of wine experts.
The latest awards – announced last week – have categories relevant to our lifestyles, including Big Night In, Easy Weekday Fizz and Easy Weekday Meals.
Janet Harrison, together with Judy Kendrick, is the founder of the awards.
Janet told me: “We had a lot of popular big brands collecting medals this year (Journey’s End/Penfolds). Cramele Recas walked away with five awards – three wins and two silvers.
“Their wines were so popular with consumers and the professionals too.”
One of the Cramele wines has graced this page. The winner of the Big Night In (Red) was Curious Parallel Feteasca Neagra 2020 (£9.99, online at Virgin Wines). It’s created by Romanian-based Cramele from the native grape variety and is summery with black fruits and bilberries.
Another wine to have crossed my path is the winner of the Drink Fairtrade (white) category: Sainsbury’s Journey’s End Taste the Difference Chardonnay 2020 (£10). It’s a pineapplecoated apple and citrus delight.
Booths won wine supermarket of the year. If you can’t get to a Booths, you can find my favourite of their (three) categorywinning wines online at Amazon: Booths 20 Year old Tawny Port (£21.50).
The online retailer of the year went to Naked Wines, with the other finalists being The Wine Society. Laithwaites and Virgin Wines.
Find the full list of award winners at peopleschoicedrinksawards.com